A three hundred home development earmarked for ‘Witters Field’ at Wistaston will not go ahead after the Secretary of State overruled the planning inspector’s decision.

Eric Pickles ruled the adverse impacts of the scheme, in particular the permanent loss of the Green Gap before the Cheshire East Local Plan had been completed, would ‘significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits’.

He quashed the planning inspector’s decision, meaning Gladman Developments no longer has permission to build the 300 houses on land off Church Lane.

Wistaston councllor Margaret Simon said: “It’s absolutely brilliant news, a real boost for the whole community. The Secretary of State has overruled this and said this is a valuable place in our community.”

The Wistaston ruling is the second this week in which a planning inspector’s decision has been overturned in South Cheshire.

On Wednesday the High Court ruled the 146 Richborough Estates development at Moorfields in Willaston could not go ahead.

Cllr Simon said: “It’s good for the local community to see Cheshire East is prepared to go as far as it can to fight these things. The consistency with the planning inspectors seems to be the inconsistency with their decisions.”

The Hands off Wistaston Action Group

The councillor, who has long campaigned against the development with fellow ward councillor Jacquie Weatherill, the Hands off Wistaston group and Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson said the Green Gap was very important.

Mr Timpson, who lobbied the Planning Minister, said: “I am delighted to receive this news, which will come as a huge relief to the hundreds of campaigners who have fought hard for this victory.

“I have supported them at every stage, working with councillors Margaret Simon and Jacqui Weatherill and the Hands Off Wistaston Group.

“I have lobbied the Secretary of State for Local Government to ensure that he has heard the concerns of my constituents, and his decision today clearly shows he has listened. The Planning Inspectorate didn’t make the right call, and not for the first time.

“I would like to pay tribute to the collective effort of Wistaston residents that has seen off this unwanted attempt to spoil our countryside.”

Cllr Weatherill said: “‘I am relieved to hear that the Secretary of State for Local Government has dismissed this appeal and refused planning permission. It is tremendous news which the campaigners and residents of Wistaston have fought so hard for over the last 18 months.”